Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-16
Gales aud $ketfhes.
EDITH WARNER:
A Story or the War.
By GEORGE E. WALSH.
Continued from Yesterday. }


"For half an hour we responded the
best that we could, retreatiDg in good
order "a we did so. | and several OF the
other Ulcers were close to the front of
the battle. and when the fight became
general we got separated from our men.
and before we knew it we were prisoners.
The battle then began to grow more dis
tant and further off, while we were forced
to remain passive listeners. 1t stung my
heart to the core to hear the rattle of the
| musketry. and know that my brother
soldiers we're being killed, and unable
to help them.
~ hen everything was quiet again, we
were led through the camp of the enemy.
and taken to the colonel's tent. | deter
mined to face my fate without f1inching,
and carried careless air about me as
we entered the tent. The first thing that
met my gaze on entering was the boy
Alexis. He was sitting close to Colonel
- on heap of blankets, quietly exult
ing over bis work of BETRAYAL. glanced
at the youth for moment, and then my
head seemed to swim. | brushed my
hand hastily across my face and looked
again at the smiling boy.
Edith" 1 exclaimed in a voice of hor-
ror, for had recognized in the boy the
face If Edith Warner, in spite of her
disguise.
She trembed violently as uttered her
name, and stared me intently in the face.
| had changed considerably since our last
IN. eiing. but she easily recognized my
voice and face. ar~ liz
Coed God, Edith" cried, as soon as
| could recover myself, "are you my be-
trayer?"
She made no answer, but the smiling
face suddenly became pale as that of a
ghosts. thought of our past relations
# the last time we had met OF her scorn-
full words then. and of her subsequent
actions A bitter feeling came into my
heart, and turned haughtily to the
colonel, and said:
Sir, am your prisoner; the informa-
ton has been brought you by yonder spy
viii YOU assign me to my place of con-
frement at opceP May | ask what is to
be done with me?'
II cannot tell yet" he replied, respect
fully until we decide that question, you
ire welcome to my tent. AS for Miss
Warner here, you seem TO recognize her.
Have ven ever met betore?"
think we have" said, glancing scorn-
uly Al the quiet figure by my side.
noticed that she trembled violently as
I said this, and coming toward me, she
raised her dark eyes to mine. and said:
John. did not know that you were
~ The regment-oh, did not know-or
I should have never"
Her sobs interrupted her speech. Any
man's heart would have been melted by
her tears, but wild, maddening pair
VAS surging through mine, and | replied
aunIingly:
II don't doubt it. You were always
very mindful of me. Will you take me
10 my place of confinement, Colonel"
continued, turning to theIcommander, who
mad watched the scene with interest.
Without looking at Edith again walked
ut of the tent, aud followed my con
uctor to another part of the camp.
l-und that | was well treat ed, and that my
ent was as good a one as prisoner coulC
iesre. That night tried to sleep, bu
could not. tossed about on my couch
revolving within my mind many bittel
hings. If should once get free again
| determined to enter into the war with al
nc tIuoT VI NY WdIu udtuIc, duu u
! wreak vengeance upon my enemies.
In the morning Edith came to me with s
brighter face. She had secured my release
| She told me how she had obtained it from
| he commander as reward for her bril-.
liant service. | listened until she was
through, and then in bitter words told
her that did not want to purchase my re.
lease from her, that would remain pris.
oner until fairly exchanged, and then
should enter the war again with terrible
vengeance. She remained silent during
this mad outburst of nine, and then con-
linued in her softest tones:
John, do not talk so. Remember our
past relatons!'
"'Yes, remember them,' cried in
anger. Your profession of love before
lett tor the military school; your treat
ment of me when | returned home. A
nice love You had'
".You never asked me if l loved you
when you returned home,' she said, with
downcast eyes. her face diffused with
bushes.
mo, did not replied. in the same
strain; 1T was only momentary infatua.
lion, and. thank God am not tied to
you. Time changes everything
"She started up at this, as if stung by
the remembrance of her own words which
she had said to me months before. Hell
face turned pale for a moment. and then
flushed holly. Her small hands clutched
nervouslv the folds of her dress as she
arose and made a parting wave of her
hand to me.
"'Enough. john she said. in a com
handing voice. You have said enough,
and now be content. thought you under
stood me long ago. but your words of to-
day must separate US forever. You have
the privilege of leaving the camp this
noon. and beg that you will accept the
chance. That makes us even, and in the
future we can each pursue our separate
paths. Good by
"She extended her hand toward me,
which grasped coldly for a moment, and
then she was gone.
II took advantage of the opportunity
which she offered me, and once more re
turned to the Northern army. My reso
luton was faithfully kept. soon won
rapid promotion for my bravery and dar-
| ing, and wherever there was fighting go.
ing on, there l managed 10 be. l tried
TO forget my disappointment in the
activity of camp life and in the mad con-
fusion and excitement of battle. l fire.
quently heard from prisoners. who were
brought into the hospital, that Edith was
still with the Southern army, travelling